Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-25
A Chirographlca| Coincidence.


ut the Office OF the Crescent In whose contents
the editor was Immediately engrossed. Sud
denly, a change came over the editorial
equilibrium, OF extreme impotence
quick light flashed from those clear brown
eyes Of hers, in perfect blaze. For be IL
kown, that the editor Of the Crescent was a
lady amiable and complished-handsome
wtbal. One TO attract, better still, one on
whom reliance could be placed in times OF
emergency.
She was not young-so TO speak, neither
was she DID, nor in the slightest degree rdsse
The editor OF the Crescent at the very
height Of her womanhood and q her power.
The object of her displeasure at this moment,
was letter, an ordinary appearing letter, in
fashionable cream envelope. This letter was
unhestatngly laid aside and with the seal
unbroken. The slender fingers may have
trembled a little, but they were none the less
relentless Of purpose. Resumlng her occupa-
ton, her brow cleared, and in the press Of
business, TIE circumstance was forgotten.
A month from this date another letter, also
in cream envelope, and in the same handwrit-
ing, came TO the editors hand. With cold
business like exactness, this letter, still un-
opened, was placed beside its fellow Of the
was recognized by her, and from circumstan-
ces best known to herself, especially offensive.
In a weeks time there arrived another, until
at length, five of these cream envelopes lay
piled one upon another. But with the advent
OF the fifth mlssiye, the editor Of the Crescent
became enraged. Such persistence amounted
topersecution, and called for prompt meas
ures Of suppression. Deliberately enclosing
E,sa 1.fe.
scribed to Rowland Browne, Jr Brownyille,
Wisconsin, she once more dismissed the sub
iect from her mind.
The courts of the county seat Of Brownvile,
Wisconsin, had but recently adjourned, fol-
lowed hy state Of lassitude on the part of
lawyers and Judges BY some legal ledgerde-
main, best known to the fraternity, the most
unmportant suits had been continued to the
September term. Therefore, these august adj
ministrators Of justice were duly impressed
with sense Of having done their whole duty,
toward Themselves and their felowmen.
Rowland Browne, Jr., was no exception To
the prevailing dizziness, upon this warm July
afternoon. True, he had made a decided hit
In his Fourth Of July grafton, without a doubt
his chances for congressional nomination from
that district were fairly assured: socially he
was popular, He was a Jolly good fellow, every
body agreed. \ human, heSh-and blood kind
OF man; one, none too good for earth, and vet
not unfit for heaven. But Rowland Browne,
Jr., felt in the depths Of his nature, want
Life seemed objectiess. What was he living
for, anyway Ambition was good so far as Il
went, but ambition was only part OF his life
His nature was sympathetic, he delighted In
the everyday amenities Of living He was Just
thirty-two and, bah his office at this moment
was like a shaker settlement, except that al
ready IL wore grimy neglected appearance.
However this had happened, he had never in
tended il. His dreams had, indeed been quite
different There was Henrietta Seymour. he
suddenly remembered. He had acted like a
scoundrel, she regarded that affair con-
nected with Pei. j. She would not listen to
an explans' ;on, then, and on his return from
Yale she was gone. The family had returned
to the East, they said. Anyway he had lost
all clew TO her "But swear !" he exclaimed
In a burst OF emotion, II was as innocent as
an archaug ! of wrong toward her"
He had never seen girl quite like Henrie,-
Ia Seymour; those clear, direct eyes OF hers
were constant rcproach 10 him he could not
escape them. "She was what is called
talented every one acknowledged that He,
Prof j.. admired her, so did |; and how
should have known the old curmudgeon want
ed to marry herr He should have been con
tent with science and let love alone; it wasn't
good contamination. That one can't do
two things at once, is wise maxim. Well,
never quite understood the matter: never
shall. now"
Roland Browne, Jr.. il was very evident, was
fast approaching the confines OF sentimental
ism this quiet July afternoon. A humble bee
noisily explored the hooks and corners of his
office, alghting upon the bust of Lincoln
above the book case. well" he said retro
spectiyely, odd Abe stood the sting OF many
a marauder's beak unmoyed, simple. and
grand To the last
'But shoo get out there" a palm leaf in
his hand Rowland Browne, Jr, reused him
self to pursue the offender 10 the doorway.
whats the use Of screens ia like TO know
anyway. Hello! William, letters. A god
send lay them on the table there, and here
William, drive that rascaly bumble-bee out
Of these sacred precincts, sacred to law and
order, ehl"
Seating himself 10 his more agreeable occu-
patton, letter after letter was scanned and
placed on file for immediate answer. or other
wise, as the case might require. The last re-
naming document proved 10 be somewhat
bulky. Law papers-that Smith affair" but
co, the superscription attracts his attention
by kind Of magnetism this is no clients
document" Starting from the lounging posi-
ton in which he had thrown himself he ex-
amined it carefully. "Henriettas handwrit-
ing, | could swear, should know It among
thousand; it's characteristic with vengeance
severely characteristic, as have good cause
for remembering. certain note received In
times past, every pen-stroke OF which was
barbed with scorn, renders me peculiarly sen
stive to the subject
But, whew one, two three, four, five let
tiers, and directed 10 the editor Of the Crescent
The devil and unopened at that. What does
1t meant the superscription appears to be
mine-plain as daylight. But howi whenl 1t
must be that am either clairvoyant. or a
lunatic, or a somnambulist at the very best
may be all, or any of these for ought know !:
1t looks like it With which suppositlon of
moral irresponsibility, will take the liberty Of
opening letter first; dated May IL, 1885, post